In BLUES IN THE NIGHT Set for Hackney Empire Today

Susie McKenna, Creative Director at Hackney Empire, directs Blues in the Night today, 14 July 2013 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

In the cast are Sharon D Clarke, Clive Rowe, Emi Wokoma and Nikki Davis-Jones.

Blues In The Night was conceived and originally directed by Sheldon Epps. Staging will be by Frank Thompson, Musical Director is Mark Dickman, design is by Lotte Collett, with lighting by David Kidd.

BLUES IN THE NIGHT uses the great blues and jazz songs of the 1920s and 30s to explore the lives of three women and a saloon singer in a 'cheap hotel' during the course of a long memory-filled evening. The 26 songs celebrate the blues melodies of Bessie Smith, Jimmy Cox, Duke Ellington, Alberta Hunter and songs by Harold Arlen, Benny Goodman, Andy Razaf, Johnny Mercer and others.

BLUES IN THE NIGHT is sung through. The interweaving stories are defined through music, some raunchily forthright, some infectiously good-humoured and some poignant. Songs include 'When a Woman Loves a Man', 'Wasted Life Blues', 'Taking a Chance on Love', 'Lover Man' 'Kitchen Man' and the title song. It was originally produced in 1980 at Playhouse 46 in New York. The Broadway production, directed by Sheldon Epps ran at Rialto Theatre in 1982 and was nominated for a Tony Award. It was at the Donmar Warehouse in 1987, and transferred to the Piccadilly Theatre where it ran until July 1988, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Sharon D Clarke's extensive career includes roles at The National Theatre where she is currently appearing in 'The Amen Corner'. West End roles have been in 'Ghost', 'Chicago', 'Rent', 'The Lion King' and many others.

Clive Rowe is currently in Harold Pinter's 'The Hothouse' at the Trafalgar Studios. His most recent role was in 'Kiss Me Kate' at Chichester and the Old Vic. He was in the original cast of Sean Foley's Award winning production of 'The Lady Killers'.

Emi Wokoma is currently portraying Tina Turner in 'Soul Sister'. She was nominated for Outstanding Newcomer Evening Standard Awards 2012 and also received a Whatsonstage 2013 nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Her last West End role was as one of the Dynamites in 'Hairspray' at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Nikki Davis-Jones has been in 'Wicked', 'Mamma Mia' and 'Blood Brothers' in the West End. She is currently in the sell out UK tour of 'Rent'.

Sun 14 July 2.30pm & 7.30pm Tickets £10 - £29.50
(Running time 2 hours including interval)
Hackney Empire 291 Mare Street London E81JEJ
Box Office 020 8985 2424
Overground to Hackney Central, Buses 30, 38, 48, 55, 106, 236, 242, 253, 254, 276, 277
www.hackneyempire.co.uk

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